A Spatial Computable General Equilibrium model to evaluate the indirect effects of traffic and transport policies In the past few years, the impacts of several transport infrastructure projects in The Netherlands have been evaluated. From the lessons learnt, a guide for cost-benefit analysis resulted. However, the methods still lack incorporation of all indirect effects. A spatial computable general equilibrium (SCGE) model seems to be the most suitable instrument to fill this gap. So far, the only SCGE model available in The Netherlands is the so-called "Ruimtelijk Algemeen Evenwichtsmodel" (RAEM) from TNO Inro together with the University of Groningen and the Free University in Amsterdam. In the core, RAEM describes trade of commodities and services between regions and economic sectors. Thanks to the numerous connections with policy implementations, RAEM has a broad scope of application possibilities. In this paper, the example of increasing congestion is described. RAEM explores to what extent the (direct) effects on travel time lead to additional (indirect) effects. Region A suffers more from congestion than region B, which might lead to an exchange of activities, rise and fall of activities, movements on the labour market, as well as changes in transport flows. (Author/publisher)
Abstract